Petra Juarez finds her artistic inspiration in the smallest of objects. While hiking, she stops to pick up a seed pod on the trail. Where one person may see just a seed pod, Juarez sees her next base for creation. Carrying on a skill set passed down to her from her husband’s grandmother, that little seed pod will be cast in metal and transformed into a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.
Traveling down a one-way dirt road, Juarez’s studio blends into the natural beauty of the desert. Every inch of the space is reminiscent of the natural beauty just outside its walls, and her creations carry on the organic quality of the surrounding area. Pottery and jewelry are lovingly displayed for her buyers, with no two pieces looking alike.
“I’ve always done beading and upcycling and things like that.” Juarez explains. Her passion for creativity extended through her childhood, and Juarez’s talent in a variety of mediums is evident throughout her space. Over 20 years of pottery experience have honed her ability, with five of those years dedicated to working full-time through her art.
Juarez channels natural imperfections in creating her work, saying, “It’s important to me that everything looks handmade.” Her connection to an organic aesthetic is evident in each item, and is especially prevalent in her seed pod jewelry.
Her process, called lost wax casting, was taught to her by her husband’s grandmother, and accomplished jeweler, Lynne Tiemeier. With over 55 years of experience, Tiemeier gave her casting equipment to Juarez following her battle with Parkinson's. Each time the equipment is used, Juarez continues the tradition of Tiemeier's work by channeling her unique influence.
Lost wax casting is a labor of love, both in its process and by working with such delicate materials. A seed pod is coated in wax and plaster to make a mold, which is then fired in a jewelry kiln. Once the seed pod burns out and the negative space remains, the mold is placed into a centrifugal caster and the liquid silver is poured in. After "pickling", cleaning, and buffing the creation, the silver cast of the seed pod remains, with each small detail perfectly visible.
“I think nature does it best,” Juarez remarked, carefully laying out different seed pods and their matching necklaces. Even the pieces that came from the same species of plant look vastly different, showcasing their natural beauty. According to Juarez, the imperfections of her work create interest, and she strives to make irregularity beautiful.
Channeling the design elements of pre-colonial Hispanic pottery, her clay creations share the same organic beauty found in her seed pod jewelry. The same care and handmade qualities are present in each medium Juarez works in.
Juarez’s pieces can be found on her Instagram page (@petraclayandmetal) and information on how to shop is located on her website. Buyers are welcomed into her studio space by booking an appointment, and are then free to look at each special piece. Her work is also available for purchase at a number of local businesses and nurseries, such as Arizona Poppy and Ponderosa Cactus.
Looking towards the future, Juarez’s work will be featured in Shirt Shop Mercantile, a combination restaurant and retail store set to open soon in downtown Tucson.